Oxford, Ohio

Oxford, Ohio
Oxford is a city in northwestern Butler County, Ohio, United States. The population was 23,035 at the 2020 census. A college town, Oxford was founded as a home for Miami University and lies in the southwestern portion of the state approximately northwest of Cincinnati and southwest of Dayton. It is part of the Cincinnati metropolitan area.
History
Miami University was chartered in 1809, and Oxford was laid out by James Heaton on March 29, 1810, by the Ohio General Assembly's order of February 6, 1810. It was established in Range 1 East, Town 5 North of the Congress Lands in the southeast quarter of Section 22, the southwest corner of Section 23, the northwest corner of Section 26, and the northeast corner of Section 27. The original village, consisting of 128 lots, was incorporated on February 23, 1830. Oxford was elevated to city status in 1971. Freedom Summer started with orientations at Western College for Women in June 1964. This event is commemorated near the Kumler Chapel on the Western campus, now a part of Miami University.
Oxford became a qualified Tree City USA as recognized by the National Arbor Day Foundation in 1996.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all land. Oxford is a part of Oxford Township, originally called the College Township.
Demographics
2020 census
As of the census of 2020, there were 23,035 people and 7,187 households living in the city. The racial makeup of the city was 79.6% White, 5.0% African American, 0.2% Native American, 8.8% Asian, 1.3% from other races, and 5.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race were 4.0% of the population.
2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 21,371 people, 5,799 households, and 1,909 families living in the city. The population density was . There were 6,622 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 87.6% White, 4.0% African American, 0.2% Native American, 5.4% Asian, 0.6% from other races, and 2.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race were 2.3% of the population.
There were 5,799 households, of which 14.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 24.6% were married couples living together, 6.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 2.2% had a male householder with no wife present, and 67.1% were non-families. 33.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 2.78.
The median age in the city was 21.4 years. 6.8% of residents were under the age of 18; 67.9% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 10.9% were from 25 to 44; 8.8% were from 45 to 64; and 5.6% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.6% male and 52.4% female.
2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 21,943 people, 5,870 households, and 2,066 families living in the city. The population density was . There were 6,134 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 91.2% White, 4.3% African American, 0.2% Native American, 2.4% Asian, <0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.5% from other races, and 1.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race were 1.44% of the population.
There were 5,870 households, out of which 16.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 26.8% were married couples living together, 6.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 64.8% were non-families. 32.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 2.85.
In the city, 8.3% of the population was under the age of 18, 66.8% was from 18 to 24, 11.7% from 25 to 44, 8.4% from 45 to 64, and 4.8% was 65 years of age or older. The median age was 21 years. For every 100 females, there were 87.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.1 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $25,164, and the median income for a family was $52,589. Males had a median income of $35,833 versus $24,637 for females. The per capita income for the city was $12,165. About 13.4% of families and 43.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.8% of those under age 18 and 8.1% of those age 65 or over.
Arts and culture
Festivals and performaces include:
Oxtoberfest.
Lectures and live performances at Miami University.
The Uptown Music Concerts is a four-month event featuring outdoor performance.
The Oxford Wine Festival is an annual summer festival.
The Oxford Community Arts Center (OCAC) is a performing arts facility in Oxford. Events include the Chocolate Meltdown in January. The OCAC building was previously used for the Oxford Female Institute in 1849, then as the Oxford College for Women in 1906 after the Oxford Female Institute merged with the Oxford Female College. After the closing of the school in 1928, Miami University bought the building and renovated it. It is often used as a venue for large events such as weddings.
Oxford has a public library, a branch of the Lane Libraries.
Museums include the Robert A. Hefner Museum of Natural History, the Karl E. Limper Geology Museum, the William Holmes McGuffey Museum, and the Miami University Art Museum.
Parks and recreations
The Miami University Natural Areas has over 17 miles of hiking trails throughout Oxford. Hikers can hike through the Silvoor Biology Sanctuary and up to the bluffs, or through the 100 acre Western Woods to enjoy a "magnificent stand of oaks, beech and maples".
Education
Primary and secondary
Talawanda School District is the public school district serving Oxford.
The McGuffey Montessori School offers grades PK to 8.
Post-secondary
Miami University, the large public research university of around 20,000 students that Oxford was established around, has historically always been the largest and most prominent post-secondary institution in the city. The Western College for Women operated from 1853 to 1974, first as a seminary and later as a liberal arts college before it merged with Miami University. The Oxford College for Women in uptown Oxford was founded in 1849 in affiliation with the Presbyterian Church, and became a dormitory of Miami in 1928 before it became the Oxford Community Arts Center.
Infrastructure
Transportation
The Butler County Regional Transit Authority provides bus service in the city with connections to Hamilton, Middletown, as well as Springdale, where riders can transfer to the Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority serving greater Cincinnati.
Notable people
Walter Alston, Major League Baseball manager, member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
Bill Bartlett, lead guitarist of The Lemon Pipers, psychedelic/bubblegum pop band, they had a Billboard #1 hit in 1968, "Green Tambourine"
Jerome Conley, former mayor of Oxford and Dean of Miami University
Khashyar Darvich, film producer and director
David J. Eicher, chief editor of Astronomy magazine and author of publications on astronomy and American History
Edith Emerson, painter
Weeb Ewbank, football coach, 3-time World Champion (1958, 1959, 1968), member of Pro Football Hall of Fame
Earle Foxe, theater and film actor
Victor Furth, architect
Kason Gabbard, Major League Baseball pitcher
Nick Gillespie, libertarian journalist, former editor-in-chief of Reason magazine, current editor of reason.tv
Caroline Harrison, wife of President Benjamin Harrison
Russell Benjamin Harrison, son of Benjamin and Caroline Harrison, Indiana politician
Darrell Hedric, basketball head coach and scout
Oliver Toussaint Jackson, businessman
Edgar Stillman Kelley, composer and music educator at Western College for Women
Lorenzo Lorraine Langstroth, "Father of American Beekeeping"
Henry MacCracken, educator, chancellor of University of Pittsburgh and New York University
William Holmes McGuffey, educator
William H. McSurely, Illinois state representative and judge
Maurice Rocco, pianist
Sister cities
Differdange, Luxembourg, which is home to the Miami University Dolibois European Center. is a sister city to Oxford.
References
Further reading
Brent S. Barlow, W.H. Todhunter, Stephen D. Cone, Joseph J. Pater, and Frederick Schneider, eds. Centennial History of Butler County, Ohio. Hamilton, Ohio: B.F. Bowen, 1905.
Jim Blount. The 1900s: 100 Years In the History of Butler County, Ohio. Hamilton, Ohio: Past Present Press, 2000.
Butler County Engineer's Office. Butler County Official Transportation Map, 2003. Fairfield Township, Butler County, Ohio: The Office, 2003.
Miami University Factbook.
A History and Biographical Cyclopaedia of Butler County, Ohio with Illustrations and Sketches of Its Representative Men and Pioneers. Cincinnati, Ohio: Western Biographical Publishing Company, 1882.
Ohio. Secretary of State. The Ohio municipal and township roster, 2002-2003. Columbus, Ohio: The Secretary, 2003.
"The 100 Best School Districts in the U.S.", Offspring, September/October 2000.
External links
City of Oxford
Oxford Visitors Bureau
Populated places established in 1810
Cities in Butler County, Ohio
Miami University
1810 establishments in Ohio
Cities in Ohio